Rapids in California for second phase of preseason

Despite the winter storm that brought more than a foot of snow to Denver on Friday, the Colorado Rapids were able to depart on time early Saturday morning and arrived in Santa Barbara, Californa to begin the second phase of preseason training. Second-year winger Josh Janniere (@Joshjanniere07) tweeted the photo above from the Santa Barbara Airport.

After a drive to the hotel in Ventura, the team got to work right away by conducting one practice in preparation for Sunday morning's scrimmage against the Ventura County Fusion which will be played at Oxnard College (11 am PT).

Twenty-eight players made the trip along with the coaching and support staff for the weekly-long trip.

Colombian forward Jefferson Angulo arrived from Colombia and joined the team later in the evening to begin his trial. He joins draft pick goalkeeper Joel Helmick and trialists Sam Archer and Luis Zapata as non-roster players in camp. Supplemental Draft pick Kohei Yamada is scheduled to arrive from Japan on Tuesday.

Not traveling were the injured players Conor Casey, Jamie Smith, and Anthony Wallace, as well as League pool goalkeeper Chris Sharpe. Trialists Draymond Washington have been released. UPDATED 2/7: Trialists Isaac Cowles and Aaron PItchkolan will rejoin the team when they return to Colorado.

Also expected to join the team in California as guest players are Alejandro Guido, Kevin Huezo, and Oscar Yniguez.